Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation
Blackfriars Chambers are a modern and forward-looking set of barristers' chambers, located in the City of London. We pride ourselves on our friendly yet professional approach to our work.
As a small boutique set we work closely together within chambers making sure we can ensure seamless representation and share our combined experience
As a pupil at Blackfriars Chambers you will be part of our team. You will have the benefit of starting your career alongside an approachable and experienced set of criminal barristers.
Blackfriars Chambers is predominantly a criminal set with a strong emphasis on prosecution work. We do not however seek to limit any member's personal aspirations. Many members of chambers of have developed their own specialisms over the years including criminal defence, immigration and family.
We are looking to recruit a pupil to start 2025 but will also consider a 2026 start date. Please confirm your preferred start date or whether you are available for both when completing your application.
Structure of Pupillage
Pupillage will consist of a non-practising period of six months with an allocated pupil supervisor. This will be followed with a six month practising period where pupils will be expected to be in court on a daily basis.
A junior member of chambers will act as a mentor throughout the entirety of the pupillage.
Financial and Other Support Available
During the first six months (non-practising period) pupils will be paid on a monthly basis. During the practising period, pupils will be paid every two weeks. From experience, most pupil's income from their own practice in their second six has exceeded their guaranteed income.
Travel expenses will be paid for travel outside of your zone during your first six.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
At Blackfriars Chambers we pride ourselves on our diversity and welcome applicants of all walks of life. Chambers Equality and Diversity Policy seeks to ensure that we maintain a diverse environment in Chambers
Please feel free to contact our Accessibility Officer Matthew Dalton to enquire about chambers accessibility and any reasonable adjustments that may be required.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between 2 January 2025 and 6 February 2025 using the Pupillage Gateway application system to search for the relevant Pupillage Vacancy and selecting ‘Apply for this pupillage’.
Candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions from Chambers:
1. Why do you want to be a criminal barrister? (max. 200 words)
2. Give an example of a time in your life when you had to use your advocacy skills in a non-legal context. Explain the issues and the arguments you used and what the outcome was. (max. 250 words)
3. What three attributes do you consider essential for a successful criminal barrister to hold? Please rank them in order of importance and explain your reasoning. (max. 250 words)
4. What is the most effective piece of advocacy you have seen in a non-legal context and what made it effective? (max. 250 words)
5. When are you available to start pupillage? (We are seeking to recruit for October 2025. However, we remain open to consideration of a pupil wishing to start in April 2026.)
